Lesson key points

  • Oils are made up of two parts, the fatty acids we looked at in video 2 and and a much smaller part 1 to 2%
  • This small part of the oils is important, contributing color, taste, scent
  •  Healing plant compounds in oils include polyphenols, tocopherols, carotenoids, flavonoids, phytosterols, squalene, vitamins, oil soluble
  • Tallow and other animal fats have some of these vitamins but are not as rich a source
  • The plant compounds in oils help protect, nourish, replenish and support the skin
  • Antioxidants in oils help protect the skin, and also help protect the oils from oxidation
  • The pigments and colors in oils are a clue to the rich healing fraction of the oil

Our next video will cover a favorite aspect of the oils. Sometimes you want a little variety or a good substitution oil. This is where the botanical families of plants can be helpful.

There are several very large botanical families that produce similar lipid compounds  so family is good place to look for good alternate oils or substitutes.

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